Why I do the things I do
We like to think of ourselves in ways which are socially acceptable. However, we are betrayed by our actions from time to time. Many often therefore shy from the responsibility of assessing their actions, lest their true colors be exposed. But hiding from your true colors does not make you any less than you are.
Nothing happens by chance. Everything is caused, and every cause is driven by a motive. Our actions therefore do not spring from a vacuum. They are products of our core (interior) being. Our interior being is primarily made up of our loves/desires/affections. This is usually referred to as the heart of man. Our desires inform us on what is good. Thus, they inform our choices and therefore constitute our ๐๐ถ๐น๐น. Our desires manifest as our thoughts, thereby forming our understanding. Our thoughts /understanding inform us on what is true. Thus, the spirit behind man’s actions has two faculties: the ๐๐ถ๐น๐น (what we consider to be good) and the ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด (what we consider to be true).
Since the heart of a person is made up of complex interconnected desires, he or she forms a series of interconnected “truths” which dictates the way they live. This body of interconnected truths a person subscribes to, are what constitute their philosophy or belief systems about life. They are strong holds that constitute the convictions from which one lives. Every action is therefore an offshoot of one’s philosophy about life. No one is allowed to live beyond their convictions/philosophies about life. Everyone is therefore a servant to their convictions/philosophy. (This illustrates the ๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ป๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ต which shall soon be discussed in subsequent episodes)
Thus, an assessment of one’s deeds is an enquiry into one’s philosophy/convictions. An enquiry into one’s philosophy is also a probing into their desires. To make progress in life, one must continually assess their philosophies. If you have ever failed or committed a blunder in life, you would realise the inadequacies in your belief systems.
It is worth noting that your belief systems are not what you think of yourself as a result of societal expectations. They are what inform your impulsive reactions to events; what informs your general outlook of life, what informs your perception of different classes of people — what makes you esteem one and look down on the other. You can think of yourself in ways that are pleasing to society, but pay attention when you deal, your pathetic philosophy will be manifested. Know that the acknowledgment of your depraved state is the first stage of your freedom.
For instance, you can think of yourself to have love towards someone, but if you will pay attention, you will soon discover you never loved them. You were only attracted by something good with them. One displeasing quality will soon put you off to expose you.
Again, you can think of yourself to have tolerance, but when you marry, you will find yourself consistently in situations where tolerance is hard to come by. This is because tolerance is not yet part of your philosophy.
Furthermore, you can think of yourself to be forgiving till you are truly hurt by someone. How pathetic your philosophy is manifest impulsively in situations? So pay attention and be humble to acknowledge that course correction is needed.
๐๐๐จ๐ /๐ผ๐จ๐จ๐๐๐ฃ๐ข๐๐ฃ๐ฉ: As you deal in life, look out for wrong philosophies which show up in particular situations that were not obvious hitherto, and come and share your experience with us in the comment section.
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